Song for the day is... "Baby, Baby" sung by Amy Grant

I was honored and privileged to be invited, by my daughter, to assist her in the labor and delivery of her firstborn. She had son she and James named Aidan. It brought me back to my own babies and I recalled and relived the wonder that is the miracle of birth assisting and viewing Danette work so hard for so long to finally deliver a healthy, beautiful baby boy. We are all so happy.

Danette was magnificent in her labor. She was truly awesome. Amanda and Yvonne were spectacular labor and delivery nurses. Danette is so thrilled to be a mommy. Aidan is just perfect. He arrived just in time, he weighed just the right amount and his eyes, nose, mouth, hands and feet are just right. We thank the Lord for His mighty power and recognize His hand in this miracle.

The Song for today is... "Love is in the Air"

It's winter but hearts are warm and happy. There has been a wedding. It brings families together and reminds us of how much we love each other. What a happy and glorious day.

The festivities started the day before when friends got into town and we started decorating the hall for the ring ceremony and reception. We turned a basketball court into a 'winter wonderland' with trees, lights strung from across the ceiling and red and silver trim everywhere.

The day of the wedding was perfect. The sky was a soft pale blue, the temperature a cool 78 degrees and the company upbeat and hopeful. The couple was so happy it glowed on their faces. The temple ceremony was wonderful, the ring ceremony lovely, and the reception was filled with fun, family, friends and frolic. People came even after the couple had left for their honeymoon.

We must thank all those who have a had a part in making the couple happy.

Love

Love

It's what makes the world go round. It's the best thing. Love is what brought us together and love is what keeps us together. Love has blessed us with six children and 12 grandchildren. Love is blessing us with 2 more grandchildren this year.

We had a great time giving Danette a baby shower. We are so excited awaiting the arrival of Aidan just in time for spring training of Major League Baseball, which is who James works for. Aidan's aunties put on a fun party. Thanks to all our family and friends who came and showered Danette with gifts and diapers.

I love what Dieter F. Uchtdorf says about LOVE. "No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God! For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are-- and who we will become." Oct. 2009

May love bless your life and may you find love and be loved and love those around you.

Happy New Year and new decade. Wow! Another one. I started life in the 50's when you could leave your doors unlocked and girls wore skirts and dresses to school; a prayer was offered at school each day along with the Pledge of Allegiance, and milk cost a nickel. Now here it is 2010! We've come a long way. However, I'm afraid we have lost a great deal of civility and common courtesy. We seem to look for the worst in others and spread it around like grass seeds. It grows very fast and covers a lot of ground. In the 50's we watched TV shows like "Daddy Knows Best" and "Leave it to Beaver." Unlike today's programs, these old-fashioned TV shows taught respect and manners. We practiced it at home and did our best to get along. I remember hearing more than once Mom and Dad praying that we would "not fight and quarrel". How could we if we truly love each other. I think we have to keep reminding ourselves, "We love each other." It makes such a difference how we treat one another and how we speak about one another when we remember that we love each other. Love-- it's a great thing. It makes me happy.

A Christmas Anniversary

This week Daniel & I celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary. We are happier than we have ever been. Daniel has made all my dreams come true and he says I'm perfect for him. We have six amazingly talented and awesome children. They are married to wonderful people and have given us 12 of the most beautiful grandchildren on the face of the earth.

We had our family over for dinner yesterday. We have a tradition where each family performs a song, poem, reading or something to share with the rest of the family. We begin by performing the Nativity Story from Luke 2. Each took a part to read and the grandchildren played the part of the angels heavenly host. We then start with the oldest and continue on to the youngest. We missed having our eldest son, Aaron, and his family with us. The songs and poems were precious. We lacked the time to hear a lovely solo from Faith, and James who had prepared to read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". We then exchanged gifts and love. How wonderful it is to have your family around us for Christmas.

Next week we gather together with our parents, brothers and sisters for dinner, a program and gift exchange. We love getting together and expressing our love and appreciation for one another. We are so blessed to be a part of such loving and devoted families as the Shoemakers, Palmers, Squires and Rays. We feel grateful to have such a rich family heritage.

It's wonderful having family. I'm so thankful for them.

After Thanksgiving, Daniel and I drove the trailer up to Payson and camped out at Houston Mesa. Faith and Jared, Eric & Maegan and Alan Hall and his fiance, Jennifer Alvis, came along for the ride and camp out. We had tons of fun.

We stayed till Sunday afternoon but on Saturday, Daniel and I drove back to Mesa for our granddaugter, Brianna Shoemaker's baptism. Daniel was a witness. Brianna was lovely and she and her sisters, Kate & Kali, sang "I love to look for rainbows". I am so pleased that our son is worthy to hold the priesthood and baptize his daughter. It was a sweet experience. We picked up my mother, Kathleen Palmer, and brought her with us. Brianna gave her a hug and mom told her that when she was 8 there were only 4 wards in Mesa and she was baptized in the font at the Mesa Temple. How about that?

I very grateful that I have to make 4 new Christmas stockings this year. One December, many years ago, I was watching a sewing program on TV. They were demonstrating how to make quilted stockings for Christmas. I thought "I can do that." So I did. I quilted a stocking for all six of my children and Daniel and I. When someone got married or had a baby, I quilted the new family member a stocking. This year I get to make 4 more. We've added Jared, Ruth, Brigham and Maegan. Though we don't officially get Maegan until Dec. 29, I've made her stocking already because I have 4 holders that spell NOEL and there are only 3 of us left at home: Daniel, Eric and I.

We will be empty-nesters come Dec. 30, 2009. We love having them come back to visit. We used to have a Friday Pizza/Movie Night when our older sons were newlyweds. We have decided to bring back that event so every Friday night our younger newlyweds and couples can come and visit, eat pizza and watch a good movie or play cards or games and have fun.

This is the season of LOVE, JOY, and PEACE. May each of you feel that Spirit and keep it in your hearts and homes all year round.

Welcome to the winter holidays.

Happening in December:

Sat. Dec. 5 "Joey & The Fir Tree" 6 pm Starring our daughter Danette

Desert Springs Bible Church 16215 N. Tatum Blvd. Admission: Free!

Thu. Dec. 10 "EastValley Choral Org." @ Mesa Art Center

Sun. Dec. 13 - Our Family Dinner Gift Exchange 6:30 pm

Mon. Dec. 14 - Burke Basic Strings Concert 7 pm

Tues. Dec. 15 - Burke Basic Guitar Concert 7 pm

Thu. Dec. 17 - Lana graduates from ASU with a Masters in Ed.

Sat. Dec. 19 - Our 36th Anniversary